Spring assembly for back cushions



Dec. 12, 1944. w. A. CLARK 2,364,

SPRING ASSEMBLY FOR BACK CUSHIONS Filed July 18, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENT OR.

Dec. 12, 1944. w. A. CLARK 2,364,948

EMBLY FOR BACK CUSHIONS Filed July 18, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. fi fl/n'am /7 6/4/74 Patented Dec. 12, 1944 2,364,948 sramo ASSEMBLY FOR-BACK cUsmoNs William A. Clark, Detroit, Mich., assignor to L. A.

Young Spring & Wire Corporation,

Mich.

Detroit,

Application July 18, 1941, Serial No. 402,909

14 Claims.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a spring assembly for back cushions which is well adapted for supporting the upholstery without sagging and at the same time provides a relatively yielding shoulder supdrawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of a back cushion embodying my invention, the upholstery being partially broken away and certain other parts being partially broken away for convenience in illustration.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view further illustrating the structural details.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated is especially designed as a divided or sectional back cushion for automobile seats but it will be understood that the structure is desirable for chairs, couches and other furniture.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated comprises a base structure I which may be of any suitable design to efiectively support the body springs 2. Since the base may be and commonly is varied to meet particular structural or other conditions in an automobile body or furniture construction, I do not describe the details of the base.

The body springs 2 are of the helically coiled type, those illustrated being of the double helical or hour-glass type. The springs are arranged in rows, the upper or outer border -row of springs designated by the numeral 3 having intermediate coils 3 thereof elongated to Project upwardly beyond the top coils, a top coil being designated as a coil farthest from the base structure I. These elongated coils in theembodiment illustrated are next adjacent the top coils or the second coils from the top.

I provide a border frame designated generally by the numeral 4 and comprising an upper member 5, end members 5 and a bottom member 1. This border frame 4 is preferably formed of resilient wire covered by paper wound closely thereon, and while the wire stock is resilient it is relatively stiff. The upper portion 5 is secured to the coil elongations 8 by means of clips 9 so that it is supported from these elongated coils and the coils below the same. v'llhe side portions .6 of this border frame have inward offsets 10 there in which are secured by clips H to intermediate coils of certain of the end springs of the assembly.' The-bottom member of the border frame constitutes an extension member and is supported by the supplemental border member 12 which is clipped to the top coils of the bottom rows of springs as indicated at l3 and provided with offsets l4 secured to the member I by the clips l5. 1 I

Braces l6 and H are provided secured at their inner ends to the base, the outer ends of the braces l6 being secured to the border member 5 by the clips Hit. The outer ends of the braces ii are secured to the bottom member of the border frame by the clips 19. The arrangement of the upper braces IS in inclined relation and connected as described is of particular importance as the braces effectively support the border member 5 while permitting yielding movement thereof.

A top border member 20 is provided which is also formed preferably of resilient covered wire,' being quite yielding, however, as compared to the border member 5. The member 20 is seecured by clips 2| to the top coil of the upper row of springs, but in effect yieldingly supported by the top coil; that is, thrust upon this border member is uniformly transmitted to all the several coils of the assembly as the connections for the border member previously described tend to provide an independent flexing of the top coil and the portion of the spring merging into the offset or elongation to which the bottom member 5 is connected. The ends of the border member 20 are secured to end top border members 22 and 23.

The end or side member 22 is of flat spring stock and the-connection thereto of the top border member 20 is in the form of a clip 25. The member 22 is connected to the top coils of the adjacent side or end springs by means of the clips 24. The lower, end of this member 22 is connected by the clip 25 to the bottom portion 1 of the border frame 4 provided with the outer or upper border member 5 heretofore described.

I provide holddown tapes 26 and 27, the tape 26 connecting the border member 5 to the base frame at the top of the structure. The holddown tape 21 connects the bottom member 1 to the base frame. These holddown tapes hold the springs under compression until the upholstery is applied.

The upholstery 28 comprises a suitable fabric covering indicated at 29 and a paddin 30 which is arranged upon a fabric 3i arranged over the springs. The top coils of the springs are connected by the cross helical tie members 32 and this, with the upper coils of the spring, provides an eiiective support for the upholstery. The upholstery is suitably secured to the base.

With the parts thus arranged I provide a very eil'ective support for the upper edge of the upholstery and at the same time a structure which provides a resiliently yielding shoulder support. Th front or top border member 20, as stated, owing first to the character of stock used, but mainly to the manner in which it is supported, is quite yielding as compared to the intermediate border member 5. The elongated coils support this border member 5 to properly shape the cushion, but this is of principal advantage in that the border member 5 is supported outside the plane of the member 20 so that clash or contact is eliminated. Further, the coils of the springs are so shaped that they do not clash or contact when the springs are collapsed in use.

It will be noted that the border members I and 5 are arranged on the undersides of the coils to which they are attached. This is of particular importance in connection with the border member 20 as in that position it serves as a bufier or silencer in the event the top coi1 3 is collapsed to such an extent as would bring it into contact with th e elongated coil 3'. ing paper covered, as stated, serves as an eifectivesilencer or' buffer, preventing clicking and clashing. 1.

I have illustrated and described my inventi n as I have embodied it in spring assemblies for the backs of cushions of automobile seats. The structure is, however, of very generalutility and it is well adapted for use in chairs, davenports, and other furniture where yielding upholstery is desired and at the same time upholstery which is eiTectively supported although subject to very severe "usage. It is desirable for use in seat acushions as well as back cushions particularly where a seat cushion having a relatively soft or yielding front is desired, and at the same time one which maintains its shape and effectively supports the upholstery.

In the foregoing description I have described the associated parts in their relation in a back cushion. However, it will be understood that if the cushion were placed horizontally or as a seat cushion the coils which I have referred to as the upper row of coils would properly be designated asthe outer row of coils or border coils. It will also be understood that I have not attempted to show the parts in relative proportions or maintain relative proportions of the various parts as the drawings are intended to be illustrative of the invention.

I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments which I contemplate as I believe this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be-desired.

Having-thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A spring assembly for back cushions comprising a base, a plurality of rows of helically coiled body springs of the hour-glass type, the upper row of springs having coils thereof adjacent their top coils elongated to extend upwardly beyond their top coils, a border frame formed of covered resilient wire including an upper member secured to said coil elongations of the upper row of springs, side portions having loop-like inward offsets therein secured to intermediate coils of certain of the end springs of the assembly and a bottom portion substantially spaced from the top coils of the lower row of body springs, there being a supplementary bottomborder member secured to the top coils of the lower row of spring and having offsets therein secured to said bottom portion, inclined braces connected at their inner ends to said base and at their outer ends to said upper portion of said border frame, a top border member of resilient covered wire secured to the top coils of the upper row of springs and lying within the plane of said upper portion of said first named border frame, and side members secured to the top coils of the end springs, the ends of said top border member being secured to said side members.

2. A spring assembly for back cushions comprising a base, a plurality of rows of helically coiled body springs of the hour-glass type, the upper row of prings having coils thereof adjacent their top coils elongated to extend upwardly beyond their top coils, a border frame formed of covered resilient wire including an upper member secured to said coil elongations. of the upper row of springs, side portions secured to intermediate coils of certain of the end springs This member 20 be- A of the assembly, inclined braces connected at their inner ends to said base and at their outer ends to said upper portion of said border frame, a top border member of resilient covered wire secured to the top coils of the upper row of springs and lying within the plane of said upper portion of said first named border frame, and side members secured to thetop coils of the end springs, the ends of said top border member being secured to said side members.

3. In a spring assembly for cushions comprising a base, a plurality of rows of helically coiled body springs of the hour-glass type, including an outer row of springs having coils thereof adjacent their top coils elongated to extend outwardly beyond their top coils, a border frame formed of covered resilient wire including a member secured to said coil elongations of the outer row of springs, side portions secured to intermediate coils of certain of the end springs of the assembly, a top border member of resilient covered wire secured to the top coils of the outer row of springs and lying within the plane of said portion of said first named border frame secured to said coil elongations, and side members secured to the top coils of the end springs, the ends of said top border member being secured to said side members.

4. A spring assembly for cushions comprising a base, aplurality of coiled body springs, the upper row of springs having intermediate coils thereof elongated to extend outwardly beyond their top coils, a border frame including an outer member secured to said coil elongations of the upper row of springs, side portions connected to intermediate coils of certain of the end springs of connected at their inner the assembly and an inner portion substantially spaced from the top coils of the lower row of body springs, there being a supplementary inner border member secured to the top coils of the in-' ner row of springs and having offsets therein secured to said inner portion, a top border member secured to the top coils of the upper row of springs and lying within the plane of said outer portion of said first named border frame, and side members connected to the top coils of the end springs. the ends of said top border member being secured to said side members.

5. A spring assembly for cushions comprising a base, a plurality of coiled body springs including an outer row of springs having intermediate coils thereof elongated to extend outwardly beyond their top. coils, a border frame including an outer member secured to said coil elongations of the outer row of springs, side portions connected to intermediate coils of certain of the end springs of the assembly, and a top border member secured to the top coils of the outer row of springs and lying within the plane of said outer portion of said first named border frame, a side member connecting said top border member to said border frame and connecting the top coils of an adjacent row of springs.

6. A spring assembly for cushions comprising a base, a plurality of coiled body springs including an outer row of springs having intermediate coils thereof elongated to extend outwardly beyond their top coils, a border frame including an outer member secured to said coil elongations cf the outer row of springs, side portions connected to intermediate coils of certain of the end springs of the assembly, inclined braces connected at their inner ends to said base and at their outer ends to said outer member of said border frame, and a top border member secured to the top coils of the outer row of springs and lying within the plane of said outer portion of said first named border frame, a side member connecting said top border member to said border frame and connecting the top coils of an adjacent row of springs.

'1. A spring assembly for cushions comprising a base, a plurality of body springs including outer springs having coils thereof next adjacent their top coils elongated to extend outwardly beyond their top coils, an outer border member secured to the said elongated coils, inclined braces ends to said base and at their outer ends to said outer border frame member, and a second border member secured to the top coils of the outer springs and lying within the plane of said outer border member, said second border member being relatively yielding as compared to said first mentioned border member and being supported by said top coils independently of said first mentioned border member.

8. A spring assembly for cushions comprising a base, a plurality of body springs including outer springs having coils thereof next adjacent their top coils elongated to extend outwardly beyond their top coils, an outer border member secured to said elongated coils, and a second border member secured to the top coils of the said outer springs and lying within the plane of said outer border member, said second border member being relatively yielding as compared to said first mentioned border member and being supported by said top coils independently of said first mentioned border member.

9. A spring assembly for cushions comprising a base, a plurality of helically coiled body springs of the hour-glass type, the border springs at one side 0! on the underside of the top coils to constitute a buffer and prevent clashing in the event of its being collapsed into contacting relation with the said elongated coils, said second border member being free to move in its entirety relative to said first named border member.

10. A spring assembly for cushions comprising a base, a plurality of helically coiled body springs, the border springs at one side of the assembly having corresponding intermediate coils thereof elongated to form loop portions lying in planes substantially at right angles to the axis of the springs and projecting outwardly beyond the top coils, a border frame including a border member secured to said outwardly projecting loop portions along the sides thereof and parallel to said planes thereof, and a second border member secured to the top coils of the said border springs having the elongated coils and being disposed on the underside of the coils to which it is secured and being of a material constituting a buffer or silencer in the event the coils above the elongated coils are depressed to such an extent as to bring such border member into contacting relation with the elongated coils, means connecting said second border member to said border frame and con-' necting the top coils of an adjacent row of springs.

11. A spring assembly for cushions comprising a base, a plurality of helically coiled body springs, the border springs at one side of the assembly having the intermediate coilsthereof elongated to form loop portions lying in planes substantially at right angles to the axis of the springs and projecting outwardly beyond the top coils, a border member secured to said outwardly projecting loop portions along the sides thereof and parallel to said planes thereof, and a second border member secured to the top co'ls of the said border springs having the elongated coils, said second border member being supported to move in its entirety relative to. said first named border member. I

12. A spring assembly for cushions comprising a base, a plurality of helically coiled border springs supported by said base, certain thereof having intermediate coils elongated laterally to extend beyond the other coils thereof, a border frame including a fabric covered border member secured to said intermediate coils at one border of the assembly, and a second border member secured to the top coils of said certain springs, said second border member being supported to move in its entirety relative to said first named border member, a side member connecting said second border member to said border frame and connecting the top coils of an adjacent row of springs.

13. A spring assembly for cushions comprising a base, a plurality of helically coiled border springs supported by said base, a border frame including a border member secured to intermediate coils of certain of said body springs at one border of the assembly, and a second border member secured to the top coils of certain of said border springs, said second border member being supported to move in its entirety relative to said first named border member, a side member connecting said second border member to said border frame and connecting the top coils of an adjacent row of springs.

14. A spring assembly for cushions comprising a base, a plurality of coiled body springs including an outer row of springs having intermediate coils thereof elongated to extend outwardly beyond their top coils, a border frame including an 10 outer border member connected to said elongated coils of the upper row of springs, braces connected at their inner ends to said base and at their outer ends to said outer border member, and a second border member secured to the top coils of the outer row of springs and lying within the plane of said outer border member of said border frame, said second border member being relatively yielding as compared to said first mentioned border member, and a side member connecting said border member to said border frame and connecting the top coils of an adjacent side row of springs.

WILLIAM A. CLARK. 

